At the time of the piercing I made a LiveJournal to record day by day of getting it done and the healing process. This is because I found reading peoples diaries about it helped me decide to get it done myself. I hope people find my story useful.
At A Glance Author Matticus Contact mattfreebody@hotmail.co.uk When Three months ago Artist Arthur Studio Cold Steel, Camden Town Location London, UK P.S.
Cold Steel in Camden is an awesome place to go. They know what they're on about!
The Piercing
I was full of nerves today. I'm a nervous person. I got my snakebite piercings over a year ago so I felt more comfort than before although it doesen't stop you worrying.
I went to Cold Steels in Camden Town, London. I've been here many times before and highly reccomend it. My appointment was for 1 I had booked in before Christmas so I had a lot of time to prepare myself for it.
When I got there I was told my usual piercer was still on holiday. And as he was the only person in he had to close the place. I waited for about 10 minutes or so while he got everything ready and then I went upstairs.
I had to rinse my mouth out of mouthwash and spit it back in the container. He then drew some markings on my tongue and told me to relax for a bit. I was nervous, when I had to stick my tongue out it was shacking!
He told my to lay down, close my eyes and stick my tongue out as far as possible. He put the clamp on and told me to breathe in and breath out and then he'll pierce it. He said it'll be over in 30 secs and he was right.
Unlike other piercings you don't really feel the needle going through. It was more of a tingle sensation. When I put my tongue in my mouth it felt a bit weird and it swelled up pretty quickly but not that big.
He checked it a few times to see if the balls on the bar were tight enough and they were. He then told me about the healing process etc and told me to come back tommorow to check up on it.
Diet
I didn't eat much today. My tongue wasn't that bad I was just being cautious. My piercer reccomended nutrition drinks which are like milkshakes. So I had one for lunch and one for dinner which filled me up.
I tried having an ice lolly but couldn't eat it.
I also took some pain killers at night just incase it swelled up during the night.
Day 2
The Piercing
I was dreading this day because I was expecting the tongue to swell up but luckily it was minimal.
The piercing felt a little sore when the bar moves. Pain killers come in handy.
Diet
I had mashed up weetabix for breakfeast which was ok, I had to use a small plastic spoon and push it to the sides of my mouth. I had lots of ice lollies, they make the tongue feel much better if its sore or dry.
For dinner I had fish fingers and tinned spaghetti chopped up into little pieces so it was easy to fit in my mouth. Its much easier to eat as long as you take your time.
Yogurts are also easy to have.
Day 3
The Piercing
My tongue seemed to swell a little today but not that much. Sometimes the bar felt tight but I took pain killers.
The tongue looks yellow or white today but I'm not sure if that to do with things i've eaten. I use mouthwash after everything which makes it turn all sorts of colours!
Speaking seemed a bit awkward today as I socialised more but it wasn't too bad.
Diet
I had McDonalds for lunch! Well pleased I managed it. I had Chicken Nuggets and chips with coke. The piercer said to drink something like coke to keep my sugar levels up. I took my time with eating and it was fine. I actually took mouthwash with me so I could rinse my mouth out.
Since the piercing I've been drinking a big bottle of water a day!
In the evening I had sausage and chips and it got a bit frustrating as I couldn't eat it all and my tongue felt a bit sore so I took more pain killers.
Having ice or ice lollies makes it feel much better.
Day 4
The Piercing
Today has been ok although my tongue feels sore still so I took more pain killers. Its still swollen and different colours although the pain and swelling is nothing like I thought it would be.
Speaking is easy with most words.
Diet
I had another Nutrition drink for breakfeast and more ice!
I cooked myself a big meal at lunch as I was starving! And I managed to eat it all! I just had to cut it all up into small small pieces and eat more patiently.
After having mouth wash after my tongue felt better. I'm gonna have another meal tonight and do the same. Also more ice lollies too until the swelling goes down.
Day 5
The Piercing
Nothing much has changed. Its still tender so I'm taking pain killers again although its not that bad. My tongue is still whiteish, maybe its from the mouthwash or because its a bit swollen. I've read other peoples stories where the tongue goes white in the first week.
The Diet
Eating is getting a bit better. I still have to chop things up into little bits but i'm eating proper meals now which is good.
I've had more ice lollies today as well as a big meal for lunch.
Overall its about waiting for the piercing to heal. The best things to do is to not baby it but also don't be too careless either.
..and so on
Well the piercing has improved since day 5. After that day it was still a bit tender and sometimes talking freely become a bit tireing. Or sometimes eating became difficult. I notice a blood around the top of the piercing but it washed away after day.
Now my tongue feels fine and i'm eating and drinking pretty much anything. Burgers, sandwhiches and coffee. Chocolate was the only thing difficult to eat as i'm use to using my tongue a lot but maybe thats because of my lack of teeth! ha.
I'm sure it hasn't healed yet but the swelling has gone down and there is no discomfort from moving the piercing around etc. Plus it looks good to show people now.
If you are considering getting your tongue pierced then please do! In my experience it has been so much easier than I imagined.
Despite the 5 of 6 days after the piercing you are back to normal and wondering what the fuss was all about. The healing isn't that bad either, the days flew by.
My ear lobes, eyebrows and lip piercings were all more painful and took longer to heal!
Plus tongue piercings are the best piercings because you get to play with them ;-P